Australia has it backward. While politicians push "Adult Crime, Adult Time" reforms, I've spent eight years proving there's a better way.

The public concern about youth crime is valid. But the solutions being proposed will make the problem worse, not better.

My revelutionary brand new program backed by some of the greatest minds in Australia and founder of Veteran Mentors, I've worked with over 3,500 troubled teenagers and their families across Australia. This frontline experience has given me insights no policy paper can capture. As the leading youth development expert in the country!

Here's what politicians miss: By the time a child enters the justice system, we've already failed them multiple times.

The Patterns We're Ignoring

After thousands of hours with troubled teens, clear patterns emerged. These kids weren't born criminals. They were created through a predictable sequence of events.

First comes school disengagement. Then suspensions. Then expulsions.

Parents, desperate for help, turn to doctors. Medications follow. Counselors and psychologists enter the picture. But the situation deteriorates.

By the time these children reached my program, many had been suspended 7-9 times. They'd been seeing mental health professionals for years. They were medicated, isolated, and had completely lost their self-esteem.

This is where politicians should focus. Not on tougher penalties after crimes occur, but on preventing the spiral that leads there.

Early Intervention Works

Economic analysis shows that every dollar invested in early childhood education yields a two-dollar return. Prevention isn't just more effective—it's more economical.

My New Approach

After eight years building Australia's premier youth development program for troubled youth, I have shifted my approach. The last 6 months i have been working relentlessly to build a team of elite professionals in various fields such as, criminology, policy makers, educators, law enforcement, allied health and media.  Together my revolutionary new approach will catch problems early.

The method is straightforward but transformative:

We enter schools directly. We identify children after their first suspension, not their ninth.

We deliver resilience training before self-esteem collapses. We engage parents before they become desperate.

We coordinate with allied health professionals to offer alternatives to medication-first approaches.

And critically, we provide structured support that continues long after the initial intervention for the whole family unit.

From Military Service to Youth Service

My journey to this work wasn't straightforward. After military service including deployment to Afghanistan in 2012, I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

A surfing accident left me with a broken neck and back. Unable to exercise for months, heavily medicated, I experienced firsthand how quickly life can spiral.

But these experiences gave me something textbooks can't: genuine understanding of how to rebuild from rock bottom.

This perspective is missing from our youth justice debate. Politicians see troubled teens as problems to contain. I see them as potential waiting to be unlocked.

The Real Solution

This isn't just another program. It's a fundamental rethinking of how we approach our youth before they are labled troubled

We need to cast a wider net and catch these children earlier. This means:

Working with education systems to identify at-risk youth after first incidents, not tenth.

Collaborating with mental health professionals on alternatives to medication-only approaches and give doctors the confidence of recommending my new approach

Engaging parents with practical support, not just advice.

Building self-esteem and resilience through structured challenges and mentorship.

Providing consistent follow-up that extends months and years beyond initial intervention that will build the whole family unit from the teenager to the parent

A Call for Real Change

After testifying before the Queensland Youth Justice Reform Select Committee as a expert witness, Giving a keynote address with senator lambie in front of the victorian premier at the retail crime symposium 2024, Working with every major media network including a 7 spotlight special investigation on tech addiction and winning the Prime Minister's Veterans Employment Awards, I've earned a platform. I intend to use it. 

We need to redirect resources from punishment to prevention. From containment to development. From reaction to proactive intervention.

The current "Adult Crime, Adult Time" approach might win votes. But it won't reduce crime.

We have the knowledge. We have the evidence. We have proven methods that work.

What we need now is the courage to implement them. 

This new product will set the standard globally and stands ready to lead this change. For the sake of our children and our communities, I hope Australia is ready to follow.